Hilda Solis and the late Kent Wong (Photo – Office of Hilda Solis)
The labor and academic communities mourn the loss of Kent Wong, a UCLA professor and tireless advocate for workers’ rights, who recently passed away. Known for his decades-long commitment to labor justice, Wong’s impact spanned from the halls of UCLA to broader labor movements across California.
By News Desk
Hilda L. Solis, Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor, reflected on her three-decade friendship with Wong, describing him as “not just a dear labor brother but a tireless champion for workers and our communities.” Wong served as the Project Director for Labor and Community Partnerships and directed the UCLA Labor Center, where he also inspired countless students as a lecturer in labor studies and Asian American studies.
Before his academic tenure, Wong worked as a staff attorney for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). His leadership roles extended beyond UCLA, including founding the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) and the United Association for Labor Education. He also held the position of vice president of the California Federation of Teachers.
Solis highlighted Wong’s collaboration during her time in Congress and as Secretary of Labor, crediting him with helping shape impactful worker-friendly policies. Wong’s efforts also connected him to influential labor leaders such as Dolores Huerta and Solis’s late sister, Beatriz Solis, especially in advancing the rights and health of immigrant and undocumented families.
Wong was instrumental in initiatives honoring Reverend James Lawson Jr., including the 2021 naming of the UCLA Labor Center in MacArthur Park after Lawson, and the 2023 establishment of Reverend James Lawson Jr. Day in Los Angeles County.
Under Wong’s visionary leadership, labor centers have expanded to nine University of California campuses, advancing workers’, immigrant, and civil rights across the state.
“My heart goes out to Kent’s family, his loved ones, and the many students he mentored,” Solis said. “I hope his spirit continues to inspire us all and guides us forward in this ongoing struggle.”
Kent Wong’s legacy as a powerhouse in labor advocacy and education leaves an enduring mark on Los Angeles and beyond.
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